E-Business
Unleashing the Power of Cross-Functional Collaboration to Thrive in Modern Business Landscape
By Martin Effiong, Senior Operator Partnerships Executive at Infobip
In the dynamic landscape of contemporary business, team-based work and cross-functional projects are rapidly replacing traditional organisational structures, with an increasing number of leading-edge organisations embracing collaboration-driven models.
Martin Effiong, Senior Operator Partnerships Executive at Infobip
The days of isolated departments working independently are disappearing as companies recognise the benefits of diverse expertise and cross-functional collaboration, leading to greater creativity, innovation, and agility, which ultimately translate to better performance of the organisation as a whole.
As a result, business leaders are compelled to optimise their environments to support teamwork, especially given the growing demand for seamless collaboration and its documented benefits. By forming cross-functional teams – which by their very nature break down departmental barriers, eliminate the silo mentality between departments and leverage collective intelligence – organisations can significantly improve their problem-solving and decision-making processes.
Generally speaking, collaboration-driven organisational models result in increased productivity, agility, enhanced innovation, faster transformation, resource optimisation and a rich idea bank, emanating from diverse perspectives. Essentially, cross-functional collaboration, driven by effective communication and shared goals, empowers organisations to achieve greater productivity, innovation and adaptability.
Enabling corporate culture
Fostering effective cross-functional collaboration requires business leaders to consider several critical factors while acting deliberately to achieve collaboration, such as encouraging open communication among team members to allow for the free flow of ideas and feedback. While a strong and positive corporate culture is key to driving the adoption of collaborative work models, an organisational structure that does not support cross-functional collaborative engagement can actively work against its uptake and adoption.
Therefore, it is imperative for organisations to proactively create an environment that encourages mutual support and collaboration among team members, ultimately elevating job satisfaction and teamwork. By reinforcing a shared purpose among team members, everyone can be aligned towards shared goals and objectives. This alignment not only promotes a sense of commitment but also encourages active participation from team members, ensuring their involvement in various team activities.
From a technology perspective, cloud technologies are key to enabling the successful and effective adoption of collaboration-driven work models. Cloud plays a critical role in revolutionising and empowering the modern workforce by providing the tools, services and connectivity quality that enhances corporate flexibility and security, thus catalysing collaboration.
Cloud-based solutions not only allow businesses to scale effectively on demand and optimise demand management but also enhance collaboration by facilitating remote access to company resources, fostering richer levels of media enabled collaboration among employees. All these attributes of cloud technology result in streamlined remote work processes, easier remote team management and the reduction of time-consuming manual tasks.
The pivotal role of communication platform providers
Providers of cloud-based communication platforms play a pivotal role in assisting business leaders in optimising their environments for effective cross-functional teamwork. They achieve this through a variety of means, spanning from offering cloud-based services like SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) solutions, to delivering data-driven industry insights, trends and forecasts derived from comprehensive analytics and cross-market expertise.
The shift towards cross-functional collaboration has seen leading communication platform providers adapt their solutions to support cross-functional collaboration and evolving business needs through various strategies. For example, by promoting a hybrid approach to solution deployment, communication providers can support cross-functional teams that manage digital communication within organisations with the benefits of cloud-based hosting, as well as ensure compliance for businesses that require local hosting.
Ultimately, the success of cross-functional collaboration within an organisation is largely dependent on an enabling corporate culture, as well as the right choice of collaboration services and solution providers. Organisations should strive to partner with globally connected and reputable providers with a wealth of global market experience knowledge base, best practices, recommendations, and insights to leverage on.
The need to maximise local digital assets, amid dwindling Oil revenues and a struggling economy, has been reiterated by the Chief Executive Officer of Quomodo Systems Africa, Oluwole Asalu, who maintained this measure remains the path to prosperity.
Asalu, while addressing the press in Lagos, recently asserted that global shift towards digital economies, presents a pivotal opportunity for Nigeria at this time to mobilise sufficient resources towards effective governance.
He emphasised harnessing the burgeoning local digital economy to expedite national diversification goals, while break away from overdependence on oil output.
Asalu, boasted further that Nigeria’s tech-savvy, youthful population and increasing recognition from global tech giants already position its digital sector as a driver of inclusive growth and job creation.
“Nigeria’s overreliance on oil is no longer tenable. As global markets shift towards renewable energy, the urgency to diversify has never been greater. Technology stands out as the most promising avenue, not merely as a sector, but as an enabler of growth across all facets of the economy,” he explained.
According to him, Nigeria’s tech talent remains the new oil, a renewable resource with the potential for significant returns, if strategically harnessed.
Like India’s successes in information technology services, Asalu want Nigeria to tap into lucrative outsourcing industry to draw foreign investment.
“Foreign investment in Nigeria’s tech sector is rising. Programmes like Digital Explorers have led European firms such as Telesoft to establish operations in Nigeria. Tech giants like Microsoft and Facebook have followed suit, injecting capital and creating jobs,” he stated.
He again pointed to the emergence of three unicorns within Nigeria’s tech ecosystem as a breakthrough and sign of maturity.
“Nigeria’s tech ecosystem is already showing signs of maturity, with three unicorns emerging from its soil. These success stories, powered by local innovation, underscore the viability of a home-grown, world-class tech sector,” he affirmed.
He however emphasized urgent need to close existing gap in skills and infrastructure, in addition to embracing governance and collaboration to fully harness digital potential cum future.
Media Rights Agenda (MRA), has unveiled a visual brief emphasizing the critical need for responsible and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in journalism, particularly within Nigeria’s evolving media environment.
This is coming ahead of World Press Freedom Day today.
The visual brief, developed under this year’s global theme, “Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media,” explores the opportunities and dangers AI poses to media freedom in Nigeria and across the world.
In a statement released in Lagos by John Gbadamosi, its programme officer,MRA noted that AI is quickly changing the way news is produced and consumed, adding that it offers powerful tools that can assist journalists in analysing data, translating stories into local languages, and extend the reach of vital information, especially to underserved areas with limited media infrastructure.
Gbadamosi added that AI can help to ensure that essential news and information are also disseminated to local communities.
However, Gbadamosi warned that the same technology is being weaponised to undermine truth and press freedom, saying: “While AI can be used to advance journalism, it can just as easily be exploited to spread disinformation, create deepfakes, and drown out independent voices with algorithmically generated propaganda.”
According to him, “In Nigeria, journalists face threats that go beyond just physical dangers; such threats now also encompass digital, algorithmic, and systemic harms and challenges, which requires media professionals to ensure that AI enhances, rather than undermines, media freedom and that technology is used to promote the truth, not distort it.”
“The visual brief breaks down key concepts like misinformation, disinformation, mal-information, and information overload, which are increasingly shaping Nigeria’s digital media ecosystem. It also raises concerns about AI-enabled surveillance, political manipulation, and the marginalisation of community-based journalists.”
Gbadamosi stated that the visual brief also advocates support for independent media, transparent AI regulations aligned with Nigeria’s context, increased digital literacy, and stronger accountability from tech companies regarding platform content and influence.
He therefore urged all stakeholders to advocate for responsible AI usage and a free, independent, professional and vibrant media environment in Nigeria, stressing that “when media freedom thrives, democracy lives.”
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has raised the fees for all its products and services, including charges related to data modification on the National Identification Number (NIN) database.
In a statement issued in Abuja, Kayode Adegoke, NIMC’s Head of Corporate Communications, announced that the updated service fees are published on the commission’s official website.
Adegoke noted that the new pricing structure for NIMC’s services and products marks the first comprehensive review of its fees in over a decade.
The statement stated that the revised pricing is designed to align with prevailing operational costs and industry standards, while continuing to ensure that services remain accessible and affordable for all Nigerians.
The statement warned its Front-End Partners (FEPs) to comply with the newly approved rates, stating that any failure to do so could attract strict sanctions, including possible license revocation.
“The new structure ensures that the quality and integrity of our services remain uncompromised. We are committed to protecting the interests of Nigerians through fair and transparent pricing,” the statement read.
NIMC urged the public to report any Front-End Partners (FEPs) found charging beyond the approved rates. Reports can be directed to the Commission’s Inspectorate and Enforcement Unit via email at ieu@nimc.gov.ng
It further reaffirmed its commitment to delivering secure and dependable identity services. A complete list of the revised service fees can be accessed on its official website at www.nimc.gov.ng.
In a related development, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, Director General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), expressed sincere appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support in enhancing the National Identity Database (NIDB).
She also extended her gratitude to the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and other key partners for their pivotal roles in advancing a sustainable and effective identity management system.
Cabals Still Fighting our Refinery – Dangote
FG Faults AfDB’s Adesina on Nigeria’s GDP Per Capita Figures
Telcos Plan Zero Tariff in Some Regions with Low Opex
Expert Urges FG to Leverage Digital Assets to Drive Diversification Goal
First Asset Management Surpasses ₦1 Trillion in Assets Under Management
Telecom3 days agoFines: Meta Threatens to Shut Down Facebook, Instagram in Nigeria
General News3 days agoHow Investments in Reskilling and Trust Help Businesses Succeed in the Agentic AI Era
Telecom3 days agoPremier League Fever Builds as MTN Nigeria Stages Dual-City Watch Parties This Weekend
E-Business3 days agoNigerians to Pay More for IDs as NIMC Raises Service Fees
E-Financial3 days agoFMITI, NGX Group Partner to Achieve $6Bn Investment Target
E-Business3 days agoPwC says AI Adoption by African Businesses will Unlock Growth
News3 days agoNITDA, RHI, Commission IT Community Centre in Ibadan
Broadcasting3 days agoHistory as TVC News Unveils Nigeria’s First AI-Powered News Anchors